Welcome

Welcome to the POZ/AIDSmeds Community Forums, a round-the-clock discussion area for people with HIV/AIDS, their friends/family/caregivers, and
others concerned about HIV/AIDS. Click on the links below to browse our various forums; scroll down for a glance at the most recent posts; or join in the
conversation yourself by registering on the left side of this page.

Privacy Warning: Please realize that these forums are open to all, and are fully searchable via Google and other search engines. If you are HIV positive
and disclose this in our forums, then it is almost the same thing as telling the whole world (or at least the World Wide Web). If this concerns you, then do not use a
username or avatar that are self-identifying in any way. We do not allow the deletion of anything you post in these forums, so think before you post.

The information shared in these forums, by moderators and members, is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between an individual and his/her own
physician.

All members of these forums are, by default, not considered to be licensed medical providers. If otherwise, users must clearly define themselves as such.

Forums members must behave at all times with respect and honesty. Posting guidelines, including time-out and banning policies, have been established by the moderators
of these forums. Click here for “Am I Infected?” posting guidelines. Click here for posting guidelines pertaining to all other POZ/AIDSmeds community forums.

We ask all forums members to provide references for health/medical/scientific information they provide, when it is not a personal experience being discussed. Please
provide hyperlinks with full URLs or full citations of published works not available via the Internet. Additionally, all forums members must post information which are
true and correct to their knowledge.

Author
Topic: My Day... At the Dentist (Read 4919 times)

Well I have a new girl who cleans my teeth... I knew this was coming up. My old Hygienists retired. Now I gota go through the hole disclosure thing again.. NOT! It was wonderful, she is about 25 years old and she was all about "touch" and eye contact. She wanted to know how I was adjusting to living with hiv and she knew my whole story about being positive. She made me feel human... AND I HATE DENTISTS! The doc came in to finalize my mouth and also was all touching me shoulder and stuff then advised me that I have a wisdom tooth that needs to come out in the next month... He said you can wait, but by then it will become oral surgery but right now, Ill just "rip it out for yas". You know what? I am not scared about the "riping and pulling and blood spurting" like I woulda been a year ago.. I scheduled this appointment and I am not even nervous... WOW WEEE...

One day, I wish I could have my teeth cleaned and have blood drawS done so as just to get it all done at the same time... What would that be a HIVDDS Doc?? I wonder if there is such a thing?

Glad to hear that everything went well at the Dentist. I don't know if you remember George Carlin. He is a comedian ( with quite a differant style of humor). I remember him saying in one of his skits, you can tell how good your dentist is, by the amount of blood in his hair!!

The last dentist I went too (when I first moved to Tampa)... I disclosed my status on the paperwork I filled out. When I went back to sit in the chair in this open room with cubicles (other patients and anyone could see me), my chart was sticking on the wall. Standing out on the chart in big RED letters was a sticker that simply said: AIDS.

I never went back and vowed that I will never disclose again to a dentist. After all, thats why they wear gloves.

This is all too funny... I went to the Dentist today, had a totally new hygienist and I have to have my wisdom teeth out in a month. I was impressed by the way the new hygienist handled it all, especially with the HIV. As I was sitting drinking a beer tonight, I thought I'd call in tomorrow to give her a compliment. And then I read this post.. I'm totally going to call now.

Sounds like a good experience Eric. You guys have such good things there in Colorado... great doctors, great dentists, etc..... I'm envious.... I took out the dental insurance at work this year. Mine becomes effective tomorrow. So in 2 weeks I"m headed in to see what needs to be done. I may be right behind you with getting that wisdom tooth ripped out. Good luck! Lead the way for me again my friend!!!

Good to hear that you and your new dentist got along so well today. I too had my wisdom tooth pulled a few months back. All she said (my dentist) was open wide and before I could have the first thought cross my mind she had took it out with ease. Thankfully there was none of the blood gushing out and stuff.

Hey Eric & MSspud,I wish ya' the best of luck with having those wisdom teeth yanked!I hate going to the dentist! That's why I'd be nervous.The fact that the Vicodin come afterwards always helps SO much

WOW...!!!! I can't believe that all you guys have such easy access to a Dentist! Do yourself a favor and AVOID moving to Atlanta....I've been trying to find a Dentist/Dental Clinic for at least 6 months...Most will either not accept Medicaid, or are horribly overbooked with a FLOOD of patients to see.....The only way to see a Dentist is to go to Grady Hospital, which is the State ran system for the poor, uninsured etc....and be willing to sit for HOURS AND HOURS in a vain hope that you can be seen that day....Grady Hospital also has an Infectious Disease Clinic located in another area....which is said to be good....as long as you don't mind being herded like cattle through the system there...and don't mind people in hand cuffs and leg chains accompanied by various Police officiers ......ALL IN THE SAME WAITING ROOM! The "IDC" has a Dental Clinic....but you MUST be a patient of the IDC physicians in order to gain access....

Prior to being approved for Medicaid and SSI, I HAD TO GO THERE....YUCK!! I had a DENTAL EMERGENCY and was told that the next availiable appointment was 3 (three) months in the future...When I asked what I was supposed to do until then...I was Told to take IBUPROPHEN and WAIT......

SIGH.....!!! That was 10 years ago....and nothing has changed to this day....... So count your blessings fellows....!

Dare I speculate that this dentist office has no elevator? *maniacal laugh*

How timely is your post. I have a visit scheduled on September 11. And, like you, I will be breaking in a new hygenist. I hope all goes as well for me as your visit did. I'm in the frame of mind, though, where I don't suffer fools so if they get my nose outta joint, I'll be rather vocal as I exit.

I get it.... Your rubbing my nose in my elevator situation.... Ha Ha Ha... I did not eat prior to my visit... Its an impossibility!!! hehehehe.... I just figure now a days that something has to be pulled or removed or replaced sooooo anyway...

Glad you had a good experience with your hygenist. Mine with a new hygenist (but old dentist) was not so good. She asked me how long I've been positive and when I told her I was diagnosed two years ago, she said something to the effect of "how could anyone be so stupid to get infected these day?." As if I had tried to get infected. I almost jumped from the chair but didn't want to cause a scene. I'm going to have a conversation with my dentist about it.

Eldon, I am writing the screenplay in my mind already about how this upcoming day will unfold.. I can see a room full of about 5 doctors, the room is blood red (not from me). There are 20 instraments stuck in my mouth, IV bottles in both arms.... You get the picture??